A North Carolina woman was charged with animal cruelty after a veterinarian turned her in for refusing care for a sick cat brought into the animal clinic. More than 150 animals were removed from the property.
Cynthia Huber, 56, of Myrtle Grove, faces nine counts of cruelty to animals among other charges after a search warrant was obtained by the New Hanover County Sheriffs Office to remove that one cat and any other animals they felt were ‘in peril.’
Officers removed the cat and three ducks and upon seeing other animals allegedly in bad shape obtained an additional search warrant. On December 20, 150 additional ducks and several cats were removed from the property. Star News Online states 11 feral cats were among those living there. KPLC TV reported 11-14 feral cats were seized.
The New Hanover County Health Department was brought in after an enormous amount of animal waste was found in a pond.
Many of the ducks were disabled or injured and one duck was against the law to even have. Two rescue groups stepped up to take the animals. Skywatch Bird Rescue is caring for the ducks and the cats are with Friends of Felines
Amelia Mason with Skywatch Bird Rescue reported all of the birds were underweight with many of them only weighing half of what they should weigh. They will remain in their care until further notice.
Huber was released on a $3,600 unsecured bond and will appear in court on January 9. She says she was falsely accused and is seeking legal counsel against the county and the veterinarian.
Exactly my point, and reading the description of what the officers found when they went there totally justified the vet reporting her. Again, none of the people reporting her get any benefit out of it except saving animals so they are not doing it for any other reason. Hope she gets major jail time and pray she is ordered to never have another animal. She also needs a psych eval obviously for the hoarding and admit she imposed cruel and inhumane conditions on the animals but she may never see that due to her mental illness. Bravo to the vet and animal control officers. Not sure if there are some trolls or cat haters on here based on the comments.
I think it would take something serious for a vet to take action for just the reasons you stated above.
I don’t see any benefit for the vet except helping the animals for turning this woman in so why would he or she go to all the work and subject themselves to possibly testifying in court and being cross examined if he or she did not believe there was abuse? Common sense tells me the hoarder/abuser is doing exactly what the vet thinks and should never be allowed near another animal forever.
It is unusual as far as I am aware for a veterinarian to turn in a person to the police. I guess it is rare for the opportunity to occur but it must be tricky for a vet to do this. Think of the consequences if the vet gets it wrong.
I’m going to try to get in touch and get her side of the story if she’s allowed. An attorney may have told her to not make any statements.
I don’t want or need people who don’t trust my writing. I check references before I write. It’s a damn shame some people don’t realize the world is ahead of us in some places. Happy New Year!